Special election for Fort Ord petitions could be costly

The battle over 540 acres on the county's former military base could cost taxpayers up to $1 million for a special election, according to the Fort Ord Reuse Authority.

FORA would have to pay for the countywide election — the first in its history — for two competing petitions on future use of Fort Ord land because it is the decision-making group for the former base. Executive Officer Michael Houlemard said initial estimates from the county put the cost at around $500,000 or more for each of the petitions.

The petitions need about 17,000 signatures each to qualify for the ballot.

The Fort Ord Access Alliance seeks to make the 540 acres undevelopable, citing a desire to preserve land for recreation opportunities.

In response, a coalition of business interests and veterans created the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, Open Space Preservation and Economic Revitalization Initiative, which seeks to allow development in the area. They say it would allow surrounding communities to grow economically and would ensure an endowment parcel for the cemetery is unaffected.

Houlemard said FORA would seek a contract with the county to validate signatures.

He declined to guess when the election would take place, noting it was not a forgone conclusion all the necessary signatures would be gathered.

Houlemard said he assumed it was possible for the FORA board to accept a petition into its reuse plan without an election.

FORA chair Jerry Edelen said it was too soon to comment on what the board would do if it gets completed petitions.

"This is totally uncharted territory," he said.

He said the board's goal for the petitions was to be "as transparent as possible ... and not do anything to delay the process."